SarahNET Radio Interviews ‘Cigar Marine’ Popaditch on Congressional Run

Ron DevitoTuesday, October 23, 2012 16:50 EST

Nick Popaditch visits The Palin Radio Update with Kevin Scholla! Sergeant Popaditch gained fame as the ‘Cigar Marine’, fought bravely in the battle for Fallujah, and ultimately suffered an injury that has left him with one eye. Now as he’s looking to fight for us in a different way he runs for Congress in California. Also, Governor Palin weighs in on our soaring gas prices, the latest Romney-Obama debate, and Reverend Billy Graham. Plus, SarahNET Radio‘s Steel Resolve, our weekly commentary from Sarah Steelman.

Baghdad to Fallujah…

Nick Popaditch is running for Congress in California’s 53rd Congressional District. He is an American Grizzlies United General Election Candidate. Popaditch enlisted as a Marine at age 18, served six years, returned to civilian life as a corrections officer, then re-enlisted and was sent to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. His unit toppled the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. A year later, Popaditch lost one eye after being hit in the head by a rocket-propelled grenade during the first battle of Fallujah. Military doctors were able to save his other eye.

Citizen Statesman…

He has since gone back to school and written books. Popaditch said he is running to “restore and retain prosperity and freedom.” He said a person serving in elective office should ask four questions: “is it the will of the people? Is it constitutional? Is it legal? Is it ethical?” If the proposed action meets all four criteria, it should be executed. He said the federal government “is the tip of the spear” in keeping us free and that US Representatives are the local link to the federal government. Popaditch said we are seeing a renaissance of the “citizen statesman” – a private citizen who puts his or her life on hold, serves in office, then returns to civilian life. Scholla noted that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has endorsed people from all walks of life including soldiers, dentists, veterinarians, and business owners.

Reagan-Conservative Principles…

Popaditch’s military doctrine is simple: fight for victory or withdraw immediately. He blasted the 10% military cuts and sequestration as irresponsible and said that career soldiers who have served over 10 years in combat are being pink-slipped and sent home so retirement benefits do not have to be paid. He lauded Mitt Romney’s proposed policy of taking counsel from the Joint Chiefs of staff. Popaditch said a good leader delegates, but even having never served knows when his or her reports are not doing the job and fires them if need be.

Popaditch said private sector growth is the engine that creates jobs and thrice repeated the phrase, “private sector growth” to drive the point home. He said the Keystone XL pipeline should be opened, drilling should resume in the Gulf and new drilling should take place. Popaditch is a strong believer in energy independence. He said ObamaCare should be repealed, along with other irresponsible legislation, and over-burdening regulations. Popaditch said it’s long time for politicians to take responsibility for their own actions and stop blaming lobbyists who do not create legislation. “Dirty government is dirty government,” he said. “The engine works. It’s the oil that needs to be changed.”

Steel Resolve: Hang Together or Hang Separately

In this week’s “Steel Resolve” segment, former US Senate candidate for Missouri, Sarah Steelman opened with Benjamin Franklin’s quote on unity: “We must indeed all hang together, or we will indeed all hang separately.” She spoke about Obama’s “us against them” mentality, race- and gender-baiting, and class warfare. She said Obama is a divisive force in our nation whose solution to our economic crisis is to spend more and tax the wealthy to pay for it. She said government’s role “is not to make all people equal but to ensure that all people are treated equally under the law.”